Remote home mail and newspaper delivery system



Dec. 4, 1962 A. A. WEISBERG 3,066,616

REMOTE HOME MAIL AND NEWSPAPER DELIVERY SYSTEM Filed March 51, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR.

ALLEN 19. WIISBERG REMOTE HOME MAIL AND NEWSPAPER DELIVERY SYSTEM Filed March 51, 1961 1962 A. A. WEISBERG 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

AlLE/V A. Wi/JBlRG Dec. 4, 1962 A. A. WEISBERG 3,066,616

REMOTE HOME MAIL AND NEWSPAPER DELIVERY SYSTEM Filed March 51. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

444: A. ws/aas/va United States Patent Otiice 3,966,616 Patented Dec. 4, 1962 3,966,616 REMOTE HUME MAEL AND NEWSPAPER DELHVERY SYSTEM Allen A. Weisberg, 20 W. 7 Mile Road, Detroit 3, Mich. Filed Mar. 31, 1961, Ser. No. 99,874 12 Claims (Cl. 104172) This invention relates to the problem of handling mail and newspapers as they are delivered to a home, particularly residential and in rural areas.

In areas where a substantial distance separates the pavement or street from the home, problems are encountered in the delivery of mail and newspapers. For example, in order to save extra walking of the postman, it is common in rural areas to provide mail boxes along the street or pavement to which the postman delivers the mail. It is then necessary for the occupant of the home to walk to the mail box to obtain the mail. Obviously, such a walk can be uncomfortable in inclement weather and in cases of ill or invalid occupants can be a serious detriment. Similar objections are present with regard to the delivery of newspapers, particularly with the customary practice of the person Who delivers newspapers to throw the paper haphazardly in the general direction of the home. The occupant must then come out and try to find the paper. The paper is often mutilated, wet and separated resulting in physical and mental discomfort to the occupant.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a remote home mail and newspaper delivery system which extends between the sidewalk and the house and facilitates the work of the postman or newspaper delivery boy and, at the same time, is convenient for the occupant of the home.

it is a further object of the invention to provide such a system which is substantially weatherproof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a system which will blend with the landscaping of the home, will not be unsightly and will not interfere with cutting and maintenance of the grass.

Basically, the system comprises a hollow longitudinally extending housing that is mounted in spaced relation to the ground by posts at longitudinally spaced points along the housing. One end of the housing is adjacent the pavement or street and the other end is adjacent the home. A train assembly i mounted within the housing for movement longitudinally of the housing and means in the form of a chain is provided within the housing to move the train assembly. A box is supported on the train assembly extcriorly of the housing. The mail or newspapers are placed in the box and are delivered to the home when the system is operated from within the home.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a system embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of the system.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation on an enlarged scale of the 1eft-hand end of the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box which is a part of the system.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 88 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 99 in Ft 7.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the remote mail and newspaper delivery system comprises a longitudinally extending hollow housing 10 which is adapted to be supported in spaced relation to the ground by brackets 11 fixed at longitudinal spaced points on the housing ill and supported on posts 12 that are suitably embedded in the ground. One end 13 of the housing is adapted to be provided adjacent the pavement or street while the other end 14 of the housing is adapted to be provided at the home, for example, on the front porch of the home. Housing 10 is made up of a plurality of sections 15, 1d, 17 which can be of varying lengths and horizontal and vertical curvatures to accommodate the terrain.

A train assembly 18 is mounted for longitudinal movement within the housing 10 and a box 19 is mounted on the train assembly, exteriorly of housing 10, by means of a support 20, more fully described below. A motor 21 within a casing 22 adjacent end 14 of housing 10 drives the train assembly 18 through a chain 23 thereby moving the box 19 along the housing 10. If mail or newspapers are delivered to the box 19 at the end 13 of the housing and the motor 21 is then operated, the box 19 can be moved to the end 14 from which the occupant can remove the mail or newspapers.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the sections of housing 10 are preferably made from a single extrusion of aluminum or the like and are 'C-shaped in cross section comprising a top wall 24, integral side walls 25, 26 extend ing downwardly from the top wall 24, integral bottom Walls 27, 28 extending inwardly from the lower end of the side walls 25, 26 and upwardly extending flanges 29, 30 extending upwardly from the inner edges of the bottom walls 27, 28. The flanges 29, 30 are spaced from one another to define a slot 3-1 in the bottom of the housing 10. The top surfaces of the bottom walls 27, 28 define a track for train assembly 18, as presently described.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, each bracket 11 comprises a base 32 threaded on post 12, an integral upstanding arm 33 extending from one side of the base 32 and a generally c shaped integral portion 34 which telescopes over the housing 10. Bolts 35 are threaded inwardly into bosses 36 on the side walls 25, 26 of the housing 1%).

along the housing.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, train assembly 18 comprises a plurality of articulated train members 37, 38, 39 that are pivoted to one another by interfitting tongues 40 and grooves 41 held together by screws 42 so that the members 37, 38, 39 can pivot about vertical axes relative to one another. Two pairs of wheels 45 are rotatably mounted on the sides of member 38 and a pair of wheels 46, 47 is rotatably mounted on members 37,

39, respectively. In this manner, the wheels engage the tracks formed by the top surfaces of bottom walls 27, 23 so that the train assembly 18 can freely move longitudinally within the housing and accommodate itself to the curvature of the housing.

As shown in FIG. 8, train member 38 includes an integral downwardly extending projection 48 which extends through slot 31 to the exterior of the housing 10. A C-shaped support 49 is mounted on the lower end of the projection 48. Projection 48 is non-circular and extends through an opening Stla of corresponding configuration in a horizontal lower leg 50 of support 49 (FIG. 5). holds washer 53a against lower leg 50. C-shaped support 49 includes an integral vertical leg extending upwardly from lower leg 50 and an integral horizontal upper leg 51 that overlies the top wall 24 of housing 10 In this manner, the housing is mounted in spaced relation to the ground at longitudinally spaced points' A bolt 53 is threaded into projection 48 and and supports a post 20 on which the mail and newspaper box 19 is mounted.

The train assembly 18 is moved longitudinally within the housing by the chain 23 which has its ends fastened to brackets 55 on articulated members 37, 39 as shown in FIG. 7. The chain 23 is trained over sprockets which are journalled at each end of the housing ltl. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, sprocket 56 is fixed to a shaft 57 that is journalled in plates 58 which, in turn, are mounted in openings in the side walls 25, 26 of housing 10. A similar mounting is provided for the sprocket at the other end of the housing 10. However, at the end 14, as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft 57 projects through the side walls of housing and is connected to the shaft of electric motor 21.

In order to prevent the upper and lower reaches of the chain 23 from interfering with the movement of train assembly 18, chain supports are provided at longitudinally spaced points within the housing. As shown in FIG. 8, chain supports 60 for the upper reach comprise integral L-shaped members extending downwardly from the under side of top wall 24 of housing 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the chain supports for the lower reach are mounted on bottom wall 27 and comprise brackets 61 which include rectangular loops 62 at the upper end thereof through which the lower reach of the chain 23 passes.

By the arrangement described, mail or newspapers delivered to the box 19 when the box is at the end 13 of the housing 10 can be quickly delivered to the end 14 by operation of the motor 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, electrically actuted control means in the form of a timer 70 may be provided to operate the motor 21 at scheduled times in order that the box 17 can be moved to the home at appropriate times after delivery of the mail or newspaper. In addition, limit switches 71, 72 can be provided at the ends 13, 14 actuatable by the train assembly 18 to stop the operation of the motor 21 at the proper point at the end of its travel.

A further feature of the invention is that the housing 19 can be readily removed by removing the bolt 53 so that the system is immobilized in the event that the occupant of the home is going on vacation or the like.

It can thus be seen that a system has been provided which effectively delivers mail and newspapers, which is relatively weatherproof and which offers a pleasing appearance to the eye without detracting from the landscaping or the appearance of the home.

I claim:

1. A remote home mail and newspaper delivery system comprising a hollow longitudinally extending track housing adapted to be supported in spaced relation to the ground and defining an enclosed track, means confined within the housing and movable longitudinally along said track, means for moving said last-mentioned means longitudinally along said track, said housing being substantially closed except for a slot extending longitudinally on an underside thereof and a box for receiving mail and newspapers mounted externally of said housing in overlying relation to said housing and connected to said means within said'housing through said slot.

2. A remote home mail and newspaper delivery system comprising a hollow longitudinally extending track housing defining an enclosed track, means for supporting said track on the ground comprising a plurality of brackets at longitudinally spaced points on said housing, posts on which said brackets are mounted, said posts being adapted to extend into the ground, said housing having a bottom wall with a longitudinally extending slot therein, means confined within said housing and movable along said track, means within said housing for moving said last-mentioned means along said track, means extending downwardly from said longitudinally movable means through said slot in said bottom wall, and a box for receiving mail and newspapers mounted on said lastmentioned means in overlying relationship to said housing.

3. A remote home mail and newspaper delivery system comprising a longitudinally extending hollow housing, brackets mounted at longitudinally spaced points on said housing, posts on which said brackets are mounted for supporting said housing in spaced relation to the ground, said housing being generally C-shaped in cross section and comprising a top wall, side walls extending downwardly from said top wall and bottom walls extending inwardly from said side walls and defining a track, the opposite edges of said bottom walls being spaced from one another to define a longitudinally extending slot, a train assembly having laterally spaced anti-friction means thereon engaging said tracks, a box for receiving mail and newspapers, means extending through said slot for mounting said box on said train with the box externally of said housing in overlying relation thereto, a flexible element having the ends thereof fastened to the ends of said train assembly, a sprocket mounted for rotation about a horizontal transverse axis adjacent each end of the housing, said flexible element being trained over said sprockets, and means adjacent one end of said housing for driving one of said sprockets and thereby moving said train assembly and said box along said track.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 including supports fixed at longitudinally spaced points on the interior of said housing and engaging the upper and lower reaches of said flexible element at longitudinally spaced points along said housing.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said anti-friction elements comprise wheels, the diameter of said wheels being substantially equal to the distance between the underside of the top wall and the upper side of the bottom walls of said housing.

6. A remote home mail and newspaper delivery system comprising a longitudinally extending hollow housing having a generally C-shaped cross section, said housing comprising a generally flat top wall, generally flat side walls extending downwardly from said top wall, and generally flat integral bottom walls extending inwardly from the lower ends of said side walls and having their inner edges spaced from one another to define a slot, brackets mounted at longitudinally spaced points along one side wall of said housing, posts on which said brackets are mounted for supporting said housing in spaced relation to the ground, the top surfaces of said bottom walls defining a track, a train assembly having anti-friction means thereon engaging the tracks and movable longitudinally within said housing, a support mounted on said train assembly and extending downwardly through said slot, said support including a section thereof extending upwardly along the other side wall of said housing, a box for receiving mail and newspapers mounted on the upper end of said last-mentioned section in overlying relation to said housing, a sprocket, means for journalling said sprocket adjacent each end of said housing, a chain having the ends thereof fastened to said train assembly and being trained over said sprockets to provide an upper reach and a lower reach, means adjacent one end of said housing and operatively connected to one of said sprockets to drive said chain and, in turn, move said train assembly and said box along said housing.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 including a plurality of integral supports extending downwardly from the underside of said top wall and underlying the upper reach of said chain at longitudinally spaced points for supporting the upper reach of the chain.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said housing includes a horizontally curved section, said train assembly comprising a plurality of articulated sections, said sections being pivoted to one another about vertical axes.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 wherein antiriction means are provided on each said section and comprise wheels rotatably mounted about a horizontal axis along each said section of said train assembly.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein the diameter of said wheel is substantially equal to the dis tance between the underside of the top wall and the top side of the bottom wall of said housing.

11. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said support section is removably mounted on said support.

12. A remote home mail and newspaper delivery system comprising a longitudinally extending hollow housing having a generally C-shaped cross section, said housing comprising a generally flat top wall, gene-rally flat side walls extending downwardly from said top wall, and generally fiat integral bottom walls extending inwardly from the lower ends of said side walls and having their inner edges spaced from one another to define a slot, brackets mounted at longitudinally spaced points along one side wall of said housing, posts on which said brackets are mounted for supporting said housing in spaced relation to the ground, the top surfaces of said bottom walls defining a track, a train assembly having anti-friction means thereon engaging the tracks and movable longitudinally within said housing, a support mounted on said train assembly and extending downwardly through said slot, said support including a section thereof extending upwardly along the other side wall of said housing, a box for receiving mail and newspapers mounted on the upper end of said last-rnentioned section, a sprocket,

means for journalling said sprocket adjacent each end of said housing, a chain having the ends thereof fastened to said train assembly and being trained over said sprockets to provide an upper reach and a lower reach, means adjacent one end of said housing and operatively connected to one of said sprockets to drive said chain and, in turn, move said train assembly and said box along said housing, and a plurality of integral supports within the housing underlying the lower reach of said chain and supporting said lower reach at longitudinally spaced points.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 339,257 Bierbach Apr. 6, 1886 388,072 Phillips Aug. 21, 1888 616,813 Sumner Dec. 27, 1898 1,201,110 Stevenson Oct. 10, 1916 1,260,877 Cunningham Mar. 26, 1918 1,425,805 trauss Aug. 15, 1922 1,437,920 Stephens Dec. 5, 1922 1,959,172 Mcllrath May 15, 1934 2,344,829 McAvoy Mar. 21, 1944 2,619,916 Rainier Dec. 2, 1952 2,642,006 Merritt et al. June 16, 1953 2,904,131 Bailey Sept. 15, 1959 3,006,456 Ferris et a1. Oct. 31, 1961 

